(San Joaquin) Grand jury faults bug-control agency

By Kevin Parrish, Record Staff Writer -

The agency that protects San Joaquin County by killing dangerous bugs and vermin has come under grand jury criticism for the second year in a row.

The county Mosquito and Vector Control District - which states as its mission "comprehensive vector surveillance and control services to enhance ... public health and quality of life" - was targeted by the 2012-13 grand jury for three areas involving its 11-member governing board:

» Open-meeting violations.

» Failing to understand health benefits trustees approved for themselves - and lacking in basic understanding of district finances.

» A sense of entitlement on the part of some trustees and appointments to the governing board.

"We certainly respect the efforts of the grand jury to ensure county residents are receiving the most efficient and responsible service," said Ed Lucchesi, district manager. "If there are efforts we need to improve on, we will look into it. This may cause us to do a self-evaluation."

Lucchesi, a district employee for 26 years, replaced longtime manager John Stroh last summer.

The current grand jury investigated two complaints involving the Brown Act, California's open-meeting law, and found no violations had occurred.

According to its report, posted Tuesday, the grand jury did, however, find other areas of concern: a lack of transparency regarding district board meetings, lack of understanding by trustees, a failure to grasp district finances, concerns over trustee appointments and the board's governance structure.

The mosquito-and-vector control district's legal counsel is Stockton attorney Chris Eley.

"The report states that the district board ignores the peoples' right to be informed. I think that mischaracterizes the actions of the district and the board."

Eley said the criticisms were minor. He said the board "has done a good job in keeping up the level of service" during difficult financial times.

"Trustees are community members who take time every month to do the unglamorous work of overseeing vector control work," Eley said.

The district has 37 employees and an annual budget of approximately $6.7 million. There are 68 other mosquito-control districts in California. Only three offer health-insurance benefits for trustees.

The local board president is Marc Warmerdam, who represents the Lodi area. The 11 members, who meet monthly, are appointed by the county Board of Supervisors and the seven incorporated cities in San Joaquin County.

The county's bug-fighting agency has been criticized for the health-insurance practice by the San Joaquin Taxpayer's Association.

In January, trustees reaffirmed a 2009 resolution to receive the same health benefits as employees.

The projected cost at the time was $66,000 for six of the 11 members (about $11,000 per trustee).

The grand jury also recommended the district "allow the public greater access to ... agendas and reports" and that the county supervisors and cities "consider adopting term limits."

Grand jury members said they had "concerns about whether having a separate district with a separate board is the most effective structure for present and future vector-control needs."

A year ago, the grand jury looked into accusations of sexual harassment in the form of rude, vulgar and lewd remarks. The district reported back its disagreement with some findings and a recommendation to improve training.

The grand jury has given the district 90 days to compile an official response.